​This article was recommended to us through the contacts page on our website by some young girls in California! Amanda, their Girl Scout Leader, writing on their behalf, wrote "thank you for your page, http://www.bsfg.org.au/links.html My troop found your resources to be so helpful while they are working very hard on earning their Go Green badges! The girls would like to suggest another page, as a thank you for being such a big help: http://www.bottlestore.com/ways-to-reduce-reuse-recycle-plastic-containers They thought that other people (and possibly other Girl Scout Troops) would find it as helpful as they did!" We'd like to thank them for their recommendation which comes from a different lens - ideas for children and families. ____________​"How much of an impact can you have on the environment? Isn't recycling and saving energy something that only adults can do? You might be surprised to learn that you can play a huge role in making a real difference. There are things that you can do at home, at school, or even while spending time in the backyard that can help conserve energy, reduce waste, and ensure that we take good care of the environment. One of the easiest ways for kids to help is learning how to recycle. A lot of the items that you use every day can be turned into something useful when recycled. From the milk cartons or jugs in the fridge to papers from school, you can collect these items and turn them in to a recycling center to go green! Plastic bottles can be made into lawn furniture. Some milk jugs can get a new life by being made into things to play on at a local playground. But there is more to do than just recycling. Turning off the lights when you leave the house can reduce energy costs (which makes Mom and Dad happy, too). Some families start composting. This means they take things like grass clippings and leftover food and turn them into mulch to keep plants thriving. There are lots of resources available to help you learn more about green energy, how to recycle, and what to do with a used plastic bottle. You can make a real difference in your environment!

Recycling Plastics Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 (PDF): The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation explains all of the different types of plastics that can be recycled and gives examples of where they can be found in the average home.

How Do I Recycle? Common Recyclables: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers information on the various items that can be recycled. It also explains how and where some of these items can be recycled.

Energy Star Kids: This interactive site allows users to click on various energy vocabulary words, find out more about how the planet needs help, and see tips for changes that even kids can make to conserve energy.

Reducing Light Pollution: Did you know that light pollution is something that many homes create each and every day? Learn more about the topic along with practical tips for reducing light pollution in the home.

Start Composting in Your Backyard: Food, much like energy, can be wasted. One of the ways to reduce the waste is to start composting. Check out this site to learn more about what composting is and how you can set it up in your yard.

Composting for Kids! (PDF): Read an explanation of composting as well as step-by-step guides to creating a composting bin and how to use the compost as mulch.

What Can Plastics Become? What happens to plastic bottles once they are recycled? This site offers insight into how things like milk containers can be transformed into playground equipment.

Buy Recycled: Some items in the store are already made from recycled materials. This site explains how to recognize items like this at the store.

Recycling Facts and Fun (PDF): Read this guide and discover lots of information on recycling, including games, word searches, and recycled craft ideas.